Alur Kingdom Mourns Tooro King Oyo, Hails His Leadership and Friendship with King Rauni III

Zombo: The Alur Kingdom has joined the people of Tooro in mourning the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, describing his passing as a profound loss to Uganda’s cultural fraternity and the nation.

In a condolence message delivered on behalf of the Alur King, His Royal Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III, the Alur Kingdom Prime Minister and Jadipu, Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, said the King and the entire Alur Kingdom received the news with profound sadness.

Prince Opar Angala described the late Omukama Oyo as a remarkable sovereign and a pillar of strength for culture and the nation, saying he served his people and kingdom with distinction, wisdom and dedication.

He said the death of the 34-year-old monarch was particularly painful because he died at a young age, before his full potential could be realised.

“The King of Alur and Omukama Oyo enjoyed a special relationship,” Prince Opar Angala said.

He noted that the royal houses of Alur and Tooro share deep historical and cultural links, adding that King Rauni III held the late Tooro monarch in high regard partly because the two were young kings.

Prince Opar Angala described Omukama Oyo as a true friend of the Alur King.

“On behalf of King Rauni III and the entire Alur Kingdom, we convey our deepest sympathy to the Tooro royal family and all the subjects during this time of immense sorrow,” he said.

He prayed for comfort and strength for the Tooro Royal Family and subjects and for the soul of the late King Oyo to rest in eternal peace.

The Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, confirmed that King Oyo died at around 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026, describing his death as an immeasurable loss to the Royal Family, the people of Tooro and Uganda.

Born on April 16, 1992, King Oyo ascended the Tooro throne on September 12, 1995, at the age of three, following the death of his father, Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III.

He reigned for nearly 31 years, becoming one of Uganda’s longest-serving cultural leaders.

The Tooro Kingdom has assured the public that continuity of the crown is guaranteed, saying the late King left behind a Prince who will succeed him.

Tooro-Bunyoro Historical Ties

Tooro Kingdom traces its origins to a breakaway from Bunyoro before the nineteenth century. Historical accounts state that it was founded in 1830 by Omukama Kaboyo Olimi I Kasunsunkwanzi, the eldest son of Bunyoro’s Omukama Nyamutukura Kyebambe III.

The kingdom was absorbed into Bunyoro-Kitara in 1876 before reasserting its independence in 1891.

Like Buganda, Bunyoro and Busoga, the Tooro monarchy was abolished by the Ugandan government in 1967 and later restored in 1993.

The history of the Tooro monarchy includes the Batembuzi and Bachwezi dynasties. The Batembuzi are traditionally regarded as pioneers, although historical accounts about their reign remain largely based on oral traditions and legends.

The Bachwezi are credited in traditional accounts with the establishment of the ancient Kitara Empire, which is said to have covered parts of present-day Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The history of the Bachwezi remains shrouded in mystery, with various traditional accounts associating them with supernatural and semi-divine status.

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